Hidden Gems: Meet Yolanda Akins of Leche and Smiles Lactation Support

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yolanda Akins.

Hi Yolanda, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey began at the intersection of healthcare, motherhood, and purpose.

After spending over a decade working in healthcare as a surgical technologist, caring for patients was second nature to me. However, becoming a mother changed how I showed up in healthcare. During my own breastfeeding journey, I saw firsthand how much support families need—and how often that support is missing or doesn’t fully reflect their lived experiences.

That realization led me to pursue a new direction. Although I already held both an associate’s and a bachelor’s degree, I felt called to enter the world of lactation. After graduating from the only Georgia-accredited lactation school in the state, I sat for my board exam and became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). I assumed my path would remain in the hospital setting, but God had other plans—and I listened.

A few years ago, I opened Leche & Smiles Lactation Support, a private practice rooted in evidence-based care, education, and culturally responsive support. My mission is to ensure families feel seen, heard, and empowered throughout their feeding journeys.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. Like many healthcare professionals who transition into entrepreneurship, one of the biggest challenges was shifting from the structure and security of hospital-based work to building and sustaining a private practice. Learning the business side—insurance claims, out-of-pocket care, scheduling, marketing, and time management—was a learning curve on its own.

Another challenge was doing this work while also being a mother, a wife, and still working PRN in the hospital. Balancing family life with the emotional labor that comes with lactation work required me to set boundaries and learn when to pace myself.

That said, every challenge sharpened my skills and clarified my purpose. I learned how to adapt, how to keep my faith in God, how to grow intentionally, and how to stay grounded in my ‘why.’ Those struggles didn’t slow the journey—they shaped it and made the work I do today more impactful.

We’ve been impressed with Leche and Smiles Lactation Support, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Leche & Smiles Lactation Support, LLC is a private practice dedicated to supporting families through evidence-based, compassionate, and culturally responsive lactation care. At its core, the business exists to meet families during one of the most vulnerable and transformative seasons of life—early parenthood—and to walk alongside them with education, skill, and encouragement.

We provide in-home and office lactation consultations, prenatal breastfeeding education, pumping and return-to-work support, and ongoing feeding guidance for both breastfed and combination-fed infants. In addition to clinical lactation care, Leche & Smiles offers custom breastmilk and memorial keepsake jewelry, allowing families to honor their breastfeeding journeys, milestones, and loved ones in a deeply personal and meaningful way.

What sets Leche & Smiles apart is the intentional blend of clinical expertise, lived experience, and cultural awareness. With over a decade in healthcare and certification as an IBCLC, care is evidence-based and family-centered, with a strong commitment to supporting families. Our goal is always for families to feel seen, respected, and empowered.

What I’m most proud of brand-wise is trust. Families come to Leche & Smiles for honest guidance, individualized care, and support without pressure. We are known for meeting families where they are, celebrating every win, and creating realistic, sustainable feeding plans.

At its heart, Leche & Smiles is about more than feeding—it’s about confidence, legacy, and support!

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was a joyful, somewhat quiet child with a big laugh. Although I was an only child, I always believed everyone should get along, and I naturally gravitated toward bringing people together. That same sense of warmth and connection continues to shape how I show up in my work and in life today.

I also grew up a girly girl—but I never minded getting dirty. I loved physical activity, whether it was playing sports, running around outside, or anything that kept me moving. I wasn’t afraid to sweat, compete, or push myself. That love for movement has never left me. Today, I channel it as a proud Burn Boot Camp member. Fitness has become my physical outlet, my stress reliever, and a space where I continue to grow stronger—mentally and physically.

I truly believe that even if you didn’t grow up moving your body, it’s never too late to start. Movement is a gift we can choose at any stage of life, and it has the power to transform not just our health, but our confidence and joy too.

Pricing:

• Prenatal visits: $125
• Virtual Visits: $125
• Office visits: $185
• Home visits: $225
• Many insurances cover your lactation services 100%

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lecheandsmiles.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lecheandsmiles/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Leche-and-Smiles-Lactation-Support/61557288214301/#
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@yogiibclc/video/7602480916690242830

Image Credits
Grateful Hearts Photography